Baggage Regulations, Insurance and Storage - 1910

Each steamship company has rules relating to baggage which should he carefully observed. The amount carried free is usually eighteen cubic feet, but this amount varies. Eighteen cubic feet mean about 200 pounds.

The remarks relating to baggage may be regarded as a kind of composite picture of the subject and the information given should not be considered as final. Always address the companies for detailed information. They will cheerfully supplement this with written directions if necessary.

When you pay for your steamer ticket always ask for baggage tags which are freely provided by the steamship company. Be sure that the right labels are attached to every piece of baggage. Use the stateroom tag for the steamer trunk and other articles of baggage which are to be placed in the staterooms.

If you are likely to want access to a trunk during the voyage, a "Wanted" label should be put on. Baggage which is not likely to be called for during the voyage is put in the hold, using the "Hold" or "Not Wanted" label.

Special labels for each port are furnished, and care should be exercised in using the proper tags in order to avoid delay or loss.

Labels on trunks and cases should not be placed on the sides. or on the top, but on both ends. The name of the passenger should also be marked legibly and durably on every piece of baggage apart from the label, in case the tags are lost or damaged. Baggage may be sent to the pier a few days in advance of the sailing day.

Passengers arriving in New York by train may have their trunks checked to the pier by the baggage express agent. who passes through the train shortly before its arrival. All baggage must be claimed at the pier prior to boarding the steamer on. the day of sailing.

Passengers are advised to keep all small pieces of haggage, such as hand bags, satchels, etc., in their possession, and take them on board persopally on embarkation.

The expenses connected with the transfer of baggage from the pier to the steamer or from the baggage depot to the lighter or tender, thence on board the ocean steamer and from it to the delivery room, are borne by the company.

All matters with reference to bag-gage must be arranged with the baggage master on the pier; other employees of the company are not permitted to accept commissions to at-tend to any matters which do not pertain to their duties and positions.

On some lines the checking system used by American railways has been introduced to facilitate the transportation. of baggage between New York and ports of call of the steamers, as well as inland points in Europe, London, Paris, Hamburg, to which passengers are forwarded by special trains.

To effect this through checking, a perforated check is used, one part a which is fastened to the baggage, and the other given to the passenger.

Photo 110: THE WIRELESS OPERATOR ON A STEAMSHIP
Is a Power in Time of Need, Flashing his "C. Q. D." or "S. O. S." into space

EXCESS BAGGAGE.

Each cabin passenger, including each child who pays half fare, is en-titled to the free carriage of hand baggage and of a stateroom trunk about 36 inches in length, 22 inches in breadth and 14 inches in depth, or of a similar piece of baggage about that size, to the place of destination.

This applies to German lines only. For each piece of additional baggage, not exceeding 18 cubic feet in measurement and 200 lbs. in weight, the following charges are made :

3. Between New York and Paris via Cherbourg: eastbound, $3, or west-bound, -M. 12, or Frs. 15.

4. Between New York and London via Plymouth or Southampton : east- bound, $2, or westbound, M. 8, or 8 S h.

5. Between German and French or English Channel Ports, also between French and English Channel Ports, also between the Italian Ports of Genoa and Naples : $0.50, or M. 2, or Frs. 2.50, or 2 Sh., or Lire 2.50.

If the measurement or weight limit above stated is exceeded, the charge will be increased proportionately two, three or more times the above rate.

The liability of the company for damage or lass, as well as for delay in delivery, and any responsibility which may legitimately attach to the shipowner for the baggage, is limited to $100.00 for each first cabipi trunk ; $50.00 for each second cabin. trunk ; $40.00 for each third cabin or steer-age passenger's baggage.

If the value of the baggage exceeds these amounts, and greater compensation is desired in case of loss or dam-age, the value and contents of each package must be declared to the baggage master before boarding the steamer, and a charge of 1 per cent. on the excess value must be paid.

The company does not assure responsibility for loose baggage, property or personal effects of any kind which remain in possession or care of the passengers during the voyage.

Claims regarding damage or loss of baggage must be made to the company's representatives immediately after arrival of the steamer at the port of destination.

ARTICLES NOT ACCEPTED AS BAGGAGE

Only regular baggage is accepted at the rates stipulated. For merchandise and packages of a commercial shape, if accepted by the company for transportation as baggage, double the highest rate of the company's tariff is charged with a minimum charge of M. 20, Frs. 25, westbound, or $5.00 east-bound, per piece.

Merchandise, money, valuable documents or articles value will not be accepted as baggage, and the company will accept no responsibility for such articles when shipped as baggage.

BAGGAGE INSURANCE

Steamship companies' liability is limited to the amount specified on the steamship contract ticket ; marine insurance can, however, be effected at very moderate rates, and the conditions are so favorable that it is surprising that more passengers do not avail themselves of this opportunity.

Insurance can be effected at any steamship company's office. Insurance against burglary can also be secured, and many insurance companies issue clothing policies which cover all kinds of contingencies.

The following information relating to baggage insurance is about the same as the regulations of all other companies, and may be considered as typical:

The Company's liability for baggage is strictly limited, but arrangements have been made whereby passengers can have same insured against loss by sea or land, including risk of fire, breakage, theft or pilferage, from the time the baggage is received by the lines or their Agents at port of departure, and until delivery at destination.

Other risks can also be insured against, and the following table of premiums payable is given for the information of passengers wishing to avail of this arrangement, viz.:

RATE PER $100
1. $0.20 New York or Boston, to any of the principal Cities or Towns in the United Kingdom.

2. $0.20 New York to Cherbourg or Paris

3. $0.32 U New York or Boston, to any of the principal Continental Cities, via United Kingdom.

4. $0.12 M Paris or Berlin to United Kingdom only.

5. 30.33% New York or Boston, to Cairo, Alexandria, Genoa or Naples

6. $.0.37% New York or Boston, to Cairo, Alexandria, Genoa, Palermo or Naples via United Kingdom.

7. $0.16 2-3 Paris or Berlin to Genoa, Naples, Alexandria or ('aimi
Or Vice Versa in Every Case.

8. $0.16 2-3 between any of the ports of call in the Mediterranean
In addition to the above, Stamp Duty at the rate of 6 cents per $500 or any part thereof must be charged in every case.

Crockery, China, Glass and Pictures free of breakage unless caused by the vessel being stranded, sunk, burnt, on fire or in collision

The Company strongly recommends passengers to insure their packages whenever practicable, as in the event of loss or damage to baggage, the companies cannot under any circumstances accept any liability beyond the amount specified on their steamer contract ticket.

Another form of insurance, known as the "'Tourist Floater," covers the loss or theft of baggage or personal effects in transit by rail or water, or loss by fire while in any ordinary repository, i. e. dwelling, hotel, storehouse, railway station, etc.

It is a desirable form of insurance owing to the limited liability of transportation companies as expressed on their tickets and sustained in the courts.

STORAGE AND FORWARDING OF BAGGAGE

It is possible to leave the steamer trunk at one port and have it forwarded to another, in anticipation of the return voyage. Transportation charges and storage must, of course, be paid.

The purser or baggage master on the vessel will give full information as to the proper method to pursue. In case the traveler is to sail from another port, the keys of the trunks must be left with the proper officials.

Always write to the office of the steamship company at the port of departure when baggage is forwarded, in order that the baggage may be gotten out of storage, and so that it may be placed on the vessel without loss of time.

It is wise to ask the steamship company to acknowledge the receipt of such instructions, as nothing is worse than to have a trunk miscarry at the wrong time.